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Free-Dommmmmm!

On November 14th of this year, my oldest child will turn 9 years old.  With the exception of six short weeks, I have had at least one child in my care 24/7 for almost 9
years. 

(For six
glorious weeks at the end of my pregnancy with child #3, I had child #1 and child #2 in preschool 3 mornings a
week, and I got a taste of freedom.  But that time
was short lived, and I couldn’t enjoy it to its fullest considering the
fact that I was 8 months miserably pregnant and also house hunting at
the time.) 

I have loved every minute of being a mom.  Okay, so not every minute — but at least every other minute.  As much as I love being at home with my kids full-time, there are times that I could use a little me time.  I’m sure you can’t imagine why.  (And could I use the word TIME any more times in one sentence?)

Last spring I debated about what to do with child #3.  She will turn 3 years old in October, so I could have saved a few pennies and kept her home with me for another year.  But I knew her independent nature, and I could see her eagerness to join her sister in preschool every time we dropped her off, and I also knew how glorious it would be to have a few mornings to myself.  So I enrolled her in a 2-day preschool program.

And on September 4, 2008, with the exception of the brief earlier noted exception, for the first time in almost 9 years, I had all my children in school AT THE SAME TIME.  And I found myself with 2 and 1/4 glorious hours to myself.  (Yes that 1/4 hour counts.)  TWO days a week.  EVERY week.  I feel like a new woman.

I’m learning to guard those precious hours.  I try not to waste time doing things I can easily do with a soon-to-be-3-year-old in tow.  One morning I just came home and blogged and read blogs.  For two hours.  In total peace and quiet.  I KNOW!  One morning I went to Target and wandered the aisles blissfully ALONE.  Do I live on the edge, or what?

Yesterday during my two hours of freedom, I met a friend for a walk and then we had breakfast at a cute little cafe nearby.  When I walked in and realized there was no need to grab a high chair, no need to cut anyone else’s food, no need to accompany anyone else to the bathroom, no one to interrupt our adult conversation (or for whom to censor our conversation), I swear I could hear Aretha singing.  It was glorious.

So in other news, who watched Dancing with the Stars last night?  I do believe my prediction was correct.  Jeff Ross was sent packing, and poor Kim Kardashian was the last to dance.  I’ve never seen her reality TV show, but I felt her pain.  She looked so uncomfortable and reserved.  That’s EXACTLY how I’d feel in her shoes, and good gawsh, did they have to make her dance to Baby Got Back?  ACK.

Some major improvements for Susan Lucci and Rocco.  And while Toni Braxton is adorable, all this drama about her heart condition makes her very unenjoyable to watch.  I found myself breathing out for her the whole time she was dancing.  I’m sure she would appreciate that if she knew, don’t you think?

Misty May did well again.  I’m still in her corner.

I know one thing.  If Cloris Leachman doesn’t go home tomorrow night, I might have to boycott.

That’s all.  TTFN.

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21 Responses

  1. Am I first to comment? It’s like the good old days!

    This year the girls were at their homeschool academy 2 days a week and I didn’t have a job there yet ,(but I was hoping to get a job at the school since it saves my family approx. 600.00 in fees and gas running back and forth). So for 4 weeks at the beginning of school I got 2 days a week to myself. I got nothing really accomplished, but I did enjoy one entire day of shopping with a friend from my old side of town. It was wonderful! But, those days are over. I got called back to work, so I’m either with my children 3 days a week or 17 second graders the other 2 days a week. Funny things is, I enjoy my current schedule better. I find I accomplish more with my kids around than without. I tend to be lazy when they are not here. But, my kids are also older and entertain themselves for long periods of time. So, my afternoon nap will after cut it for my “me” time :o) Enjoy your freedom!

  2. It is amazing how quickly two hours can go by or how you can manage to get absolutely nothing done because you can’t decide which thing you want to do all by yourself.

    Sounds like you’ve found your groove and are making good use of that precious alone time.

  3. I am right there with you about the freedom. Even though I have the 1 year old at home. The other three are gone ALL day three days a week! I even get to have a lunch date with my hubby once a week with the baby. But being 3 kids lighter makes it so much more enjoyable. I know the time will go fast and the baby will be in school and then I will be completely alone.

  4. This is the first year all 4 of my kids are in school. My 4 yr old’s pre-K program is from 7:50 to 2:30. If only the hubs worked days instead of evenings. Then I would be totally alone during the day. Bliss!

  5. I know, I know! Alright I don’t know about the 9 years part, but I remember the first TIME I had TIME alone, I spent T-I-M-E at the CVS walking uuuup and doooooownn the aisles reading all the lables I wanted…just because I COULD!!!

  6. Good for you!!!!! Mornings/time off is important. I try to offer my sitting services to women in my church who have kids in the hopes that once I have my own, they’ll return the favor 😉 BTW I’m with you on the Cloris fiasco, I mean dang is she just adorable when she dances until she opens her big old mouth! I want her out of there!

  7. I still have one with me and he is exhausting me. Who knew he could climb so many things.
    I have watched dancing with the stars and I don’t think I will make it more than another week. I’d be happy if 2 or 3 went home.

  8. I know what you mean about time – I had myself all ready to have my youngest in school full time…and had a baby! D’oh!

    Congrats and enjoy your “me” time for both of us, ok?? 🙂

  9. Thinking the same as you. I was running the same thought through my head about Cloris Leachman. She’s utterly obnoxious.

    Wow, I covet your two mornings a week. I’d give anything for one morning or afternoon a week that I could just do anything my little ole heart desired. Enjoy your 2 (and 1/4, can’t forget those!) hours!

  10. I completely understand. I’m in school two days a week, have a 3 1/2 yr old in preschool 3 days a week and a new Kindergartner in school every day so when friday rolls around and I drop them both off I have exactly 3 hours and 15 minutes until I pick one up again. I feel like I’m on a countdown and the clock is running. What can I do in 3 hours??….sometimes by the time I decide what to do it’s 12:15 already….I need to relax more I think.

  11. I can totally relate….for the first time in my 7 years of being a Mom, this year I have “alone time” and it’s such a breath of fresh air! Both of my cherubs are in school this year…K and 2nd grade. And I am working part time, I have Tues afternoons and all day Thursday OFF….wow, what to do with all the stinking FREE TIME??!! 😀 Oooh, my lists are endless….so ENJOY, a little ME time is great to refresh and rejuvenate us to be better moms!! 🙂

  12. I know what you mean about free time. My 3 year old is going 3 days a week. Just those couple of hours is great. It’s like I am a new woman!! My oldest is in 3rd grade and sometimes I wish he went 7 days a week. The older kids are definitely more mental draining on me.
    DWTS: I think Lance Bass might win. It’s early but I think he could be good.

  13. I am laughing at this. My little one started preschool this fall. He’s my only one, so I can’t compete with your 9 years…I’ve only been doing it for 4 1/2. But OMG! The first morning I came back to the house by myself, I thought I had gone deaf! It was so incredibly quiet. Was this what it was like before? But no worries, I have quickly adjusted. Congrats on your freedom 🙂

  14. I have 7 kids with 5 left at home. There is a 20 year difference between our first and last. We home schooled our first two all the way thru high school and they are now out on their own. The rest of the gang are in school, with the last one starting kindergarten this year. They all ride the bus. The last ones are out the door by 8am and the first ones get home at 3pm. Seven hours! Every day! Most days I go back to bed for a couple of hours… I have a lot of catching up after 25 years of constant motherhood! Just a couple more years for you to wait! It’s heaven, I tell you!

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